The Groom's Checklist
PDF printable version here
Just After Engagement
- Let friends and family know you're engaged.
- OK the final wedding date and time with important guests (parents, siblings, and grandparents).
- Start taking better care of yourself. Get in wedding day shape by eating right, joining a gym.
- Begin working on your side of the the guest list. Request a "wish lists" from your parents..
- After the Engagement Dust settles
- Pick your groomsmen
- Make sure your groomsmen are aware of what you expect of them -- especially your best man.
- Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
- Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Look for rehearsal dinner sites in your area.
- Decide what type of formalwear (tux, suit, casual button-down and slacks) you'll wear and look
- through formalwear photos to get an idea of what you want.
- Start planning your groomsmen's attire. Tuxes or suits?
- Start looking to buy or rent your tux, suit, or other formal attire.
- Book a hotel room for your wedding night.
- Book the rehearsal dinner site and finalize menu plans.
- Make sure your out-of-town guests know all the details (hotel reservation and city information etc...)
- Book your honeymoon flights and make all your other honeymoon travel reservations.
- Decide on your groomsmen's formalwear. Let the guys know and ask them to get fitted for their tuxes.
- Give all of the groomsmen the info they need to buy and/or reserve their attire.
- If you are renting a tux, visit the formalwear shop to get measured.
- Choose and buy any accessories you will need (shoes, shirt stays, cuff links, pocket squares).
- Arrange wedding day transportation for you, your wedding party, and guests (as needed).
- Begin working on your ceremony vows, if you're writing your own.
- Research local marriage license requirements.
- Send out rehearsal dinner invitations.
- Finalize your ceremony vows.
- Attend your bachelor party (and be sure to thank the best man afterwards).
- Buy gifts for your best man, groomsmen, and ushers.
- Get the marriage license and make appointments for blood tests (if necessary). Check when the license
- Work on a "must-play" wedding song list (and "do-not-play song list") for your DJ or band.
- Confirm wedding-night and honeymoon reservations.
- Call all your guests who haven't RSVP'd for the wedding and rehearsal dinner.
- Prepare your wedding toasts or thanks to friends and family.
- Pick up your tux and try it on. (Don't wait until the day of to do this!)
- Shop and pack for the honeymoon.
- Plan any additional night-before activities with friends and/or attendants.
- Email transportation providers a schedule and addresses for pickups on wedding day.
- Put together an overnight bag for your wedding night and designate someone to deliver it to the hotel for you.
- Leave a copy of your honeymoon itinerary with someone in case of emergency.
- Confirm all honeymoon travel plans (including transportation to airport, etc.).
